Oklahoma City Thunder’s center, Isaiah Hartenstein, is set to be sidelined for a minimum of four weeks due to a small, non-displaced fracture in his left hand. This injury occurred during a preseason matchup in Denver on Tuesday.

The Thunder announced on Thursday that he is expected to undergo re-evaluation in about five to six weeks. Hartenstein, who stands 7 feet tall and weighs 250 pounds, was signed by the Thunder as a free agent during the offseason. The team aimed to strengthen their rebounding capabilities and address the size deficiency that had been highlighted as a weakness in the previous season, despite their remarkable achievement as the top seed in the Western Conference playoffs.

Last season, Hartenstein demonstrated his skills with the New York Knicks, averaging 8.5 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game. His presence was anticipated to help improve the Thunder’s performance this season, making his injury a significant setback for the team.